For your
consideration an old, weathered wooden guardian figure from the
Karnali basin of West Nepal. Such guardian figures were placed
at shamanic shrines, and power spots. This one
displays some of the most characteristic features of these
primitive wooden figures. The hands are shown with the palms
together in the "namaskar" gesture of reverence and greeting.
It also has a necklace or mala carved into it, indicating this
is some sort of revered local deity/ancestor. It is old and has
a lot of kaolin like encrustation, but aside from expected
weathering, and related loss, the figure is in good shape.

Those with more than
a passing familiarity with tribal art will note the similarity
of these Nepalese primitive wooden figures to similar pieces
from all around South and South East Asia, especially the
Indonesian Archipelago, some areas of Oceania, and a strong
semblance to the Bulul and Anito figures of the
Philippines, as well as some Jarai figures from Vietnam or
korwar from PNG. These
types of cross cultural parallels among peoples separated by
vast geographic distances are very interesting. It brings to
mind the concept of subconscious archetypes that are an innate
psychological component of humanity, and which therefore reveal
themselves with only minor variation amongst groups separated in
both time and space. I think this is why so many of us are
attracted to tribal / primitive art - it strikes a very deep
chord within our being. We connect with our common humanity, and
sense something closer to essence - uncorrupted by generations
of urban domestication and an overdeveloped material environment
- the "affliction of comfort" so many of us in the west are
stricken with. We catch a glimpse of our own reflection, but an
untamed and raw likeness, that refreshes and invigorates us.